There are plenty of very smart people at Google, but sometimes it's easier to just buy smart things that other smart people are doing. Especially when you've got more money than Jesus Christ and Michael Jackson combined. The Google Way.

TechCrunch reports Google is "acquiring around one company per week," according to bossman Eric Schmidt. More than one a week, actually—a staggering 57 so far this year, to the tune of $1.4 billion. Some purchases have been major, like scooping up Zagat. Some have been subtler, like buying up airline data firms for travel services. Either way, Google can buy whatever it wants, and at this rate, seems pretty indiscriminate about it. Suggestion: make next week's purchase Facebook. The Google+ team will take you. [TechCrunch]